Sun, Oct 25th - 10:29PM

The world-system’s increasing advice to the Christian community is "keep your religion to yourselves". I would classify that advice as "box them in religion". Preachers, this system says, should keep their preaching inside a church-house because those enslaved to a fallen world-view doesn’t want to hear it nor read about it. In reality, it makes them uncomfortable in their rejection of the Christian faith.

We are told from various reports there are individuals and groups, both within and without politics, seeking to establish legal barriers to the free exercise of Christian expressions outside this "boxed in religion". They seek to remove "In God We Trust" from the nation’s currency as well as delete the words "under God" from the nation’s Pledge of Allegiance". They simply don’t want Jesus mentioned in public places nor for citizens to give thanks to God on public squares across the land. Their list of anti-god actions are continuing to be unveiled as time marches forward.

Sadly, many Christians will apply the world-view advice to their individual lives and then complain in secret. But thankfully, scores and scores of "Christ followers" will apply the Biblical-viewpoint. They will remember that the Bible, the Christian’s guidebook for living in this world, admonishes them to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . ."(Matt. 28:19). Matthew quoted Jesus when the Lord told His followers to "go into the highways and as many as you find, invite to the wedding"(22:9). This was no ordinary wedding. He was encouraging believers to seek lost people and invite them to become a part of His bride at the gathering home of all the saints at the end of the age.

The gospel writer Matthew quoted other things Jesus said to His followers. He said in 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

So, what are those within the Christian community going to do with this advice given by those promoting the world-view? Will they cower down to the negative rhetoric and comply? Will they give in to pressures which are applied through intimidation, threats, boycotts, distorted viewpoints, ridicule, or other attempts to destroy the credibility of a Christian individual, business, or organization? Some will, but many others won’t.

Since the beginning of mankind’s creation, Satan has sought to destroy the God-consciousness in the soul of people. He succeeded in the Paradise Garden when Adam followed Eve’s disobedience. From that time forward, the battleground has always been in the heart of mankind. War, murder, perversion, hatred, jealousy, wild-living, rebellion against good, and hundreds of other life destroying actions are breed in evil hearts.

The purpose of Jesus’ coming to this earth is to give everyone the authority to overcome Satan, the evil one. The cross of Calvary is the bridge by which lost souls can cross over into the grace of God’s eternal love and find rest in the Kingdom of Heaven. That is the message He has left for His followers to share with the world.

And thus, the Christian community of believers must find their marching orders through the Holy Scriptures. These very scriptures reminds us, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith"(1 Jo 5:4). Then John warns the believer that ". . . we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one"(5:19).

So, what are believers to do in the face of these kinds of growing obstacles? I suggest that we seriously put our mind and soul to trying Him, to trusting Him, and to thanking Him for His blessings. When we try Him in our daily living, we’ll love Him, then we’ll trust Him with our lives, and we’ll learn to thank Him throughout every day we live. Encourage the brothers and sisters in the Lord and pray one for the other!